Imagine

When I was younger, in high school, I kind of hated the Beatles, and had no interest in this song (the original of it). I don’t remember exactly what part annoyed my fairly libertarian younger self. Probably the “no possessions” part. Now that I’ve been exposed to the more nuanced ideas of anti-capitalism, it doesn’t bother me anymore.

Reading the wikipedia article on the song is fascinating, thinking about how intensely popular the song became. Two presidents have referenced or sung it, Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter. This, despite the song’s fairly clear anti-capitalism, anti-nationalism, and antitheism. Personally, I feel like that just adds to the usual hypocrisy of politicians, the willingness of politicians to adopt popular symbols that are clearly in opposition to their actions.

And apparently anarchist MMA wrestler Jeff Monson uses the original as his entrance song.

I hadn’t really thought about this song in a decade, and I hadn’t really thought about A Perfect Circle or Tool in nearly as long. I think I have a innate rejection of things that are popular or mainstream, and I think I thought that because Tool is aboveground, it’s somehow a less worthwhile band. This is of course, bullshit. Thinking outside the box means you’re still being constrained by the limits of the box.

For me, one of the easiest ways to get clear of cultural assumptions about what’s worthwhile and not is to hang out with foreign radicals. I remember how shocked I was when my squatmates in Amsterdam listened to nu-metal, played dungeons and dragons, and fought nazis. (not shocked by that last thing, just putting it in for contrast… american anarchists by and large think fighting nazis is cool but d&d and nu-metal suck. I still don’t like nu-metal.)

so… I don’t know. I’m posting that song because I like it. I like maynard’s voice, and Tool was a really important band to me pretty much the whole time I was in school. And because I’m rather interested in learning more about radical gothic.

turns out APC has covered a bunch of anti-war songs.
I really like their cover of What’s Going On by Marvin Gaye. It’s got some post-rock goodness in there.